In the more than twenty-five years since she co-founded Omega Institute - now the world's largest center for spiritual retreat and personal growth -Elizabeth Lesser has been an intimate witness to the ways in which people weather change and transition. In a beautifully crafted blend of moving stories, humorous insights, practical guidance, and personal memoir, she offers tools to help us make the choice we all face in times of challenge: Will we be broken down and defeated, or broken open and transformed? Lesser shares tales of ordinary people who have risen from the ashes of illness, divorce, loss of a job or a loved one - stronger, wiser, and more in touch with their purpose and passion. And she draws on the world's great spiritual and psychological traditions to support us as we too learn to break open and blossom into who we were meant to be.
In "Broken Open-How Difficult Times Help Us Grow" we are introduced to the life of Elizabeth Lesser, as well as some colleagues, Ram Dass and Thich Nhat Hanh. Elizabeth Lesser, one of the premiere spiritual teachers of our times is the Founder of Omega Institute, author of "The Seekers Guide" and a regular on the Oprah show. In "Broken Open" she allows us into her private life; sharing her divorce, romances, reintegration of family life, setting boundaries with her children, finding herself thru spiritual growth and much more, all the while teaching us by her wonderful example. She also describes the Phoenix process, demonstrating how her life was resurrected from the ashes after she was "Broken Open" and the subsequent acceleration of her soul's growth.
The book is extemely well written, clever, honest, and entertaining. It is inspiring and transformative. Lesser clearly has an amazing gift for the written word. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to learn and grow, bring meaning into their challenges, and their soul's path, and the apparent "messiness" of their life". I loved this book and you will too; in fact it is one of my favorites! A fabulous gift book as well!!!! Bravo.
Related Links:
Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow
The Seeker's Guide (previously published as The New American Spirituality)
A Blessing in Disguise: 39 Life Lessons from Today's Greatest Teachers
writes,
Rarely has a book provided me with such guidance, wisdom, and insight. I want to buy this book for my children and all my friends, because in this little gem, one will find the answers that we all struggle with concerning suffering and the 'why's' of life. I hated for this book to end and do not plan to put it up on a shelf but to read it many times over. If you are struggling with painful issues or grappling with the larger questions of your life, then there is only one book to read: Broken Open.
writes,
How I am enjoying this book! Elizabeth Lesser can communicate, so thoroughly, to the heart and soul of our humanity. I can only hope she will grace us with more of her written word. Thank you, Elizabeth. P.S. I love the Wavy Gravy quote!
